India, Jan. 10 -- As an avid traveler, I spend a lot of time exploring new destinations, and I rarely reach for the word "perfect." Still, Santa Barbara may be the closest I've come to finding a place that truly deserves it. On a recent girls trip to Southern California, the city completely won me over with its charm-and I'm clearly not alone; Travel + Leisure editors just named Santa Barbara one of the 50 best places to visit in 2026. If you're dreaming of a trip to California, but not interested in the hustle of Los Angeles, the expense of San Diego, or the fog of San Francisco, Santa Barbara offers a slower, sun-drenched version of the Golden State.

With more than 300 sunny days each year, Santa Barbara has been dubbed the "American ...